Vibratory Trench Scoop

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cutting a trench in the ground. The apparatus has a pair of side watts that cooperate to form a chute having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Each side wall has a leading edge formed at the inlet opening. A base wall is disposed between the pair of side walls to interconnect the side walls along a curved path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. A vibrator is connected to the pair of side walls to transmit vibratory motion to the chute. The apparatus is connected to a powered and movable vehicle using an attachment system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/066,467 filed on Oct. 21, 2014, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention is related to the field of undergroundconstruction and more specifically to a methods and machines fortrenching.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for cutting a trench.The apparatus comprises a pair of side walls, a base wall, and avibrator. The pair of side walls cooperates to form a chute having aninlet opening and an outlet opening. Each side wall has a leading edgeformed at the inlet opening. The base wall is disposed between the pairof side walls to interconnect the side walls along a curve between theinlet opening and the outlet opening. The vibrator is connected to thepair of side walls to transmit vibratory motion to the chute.

The present invention is likewise directed to an assembly comprising apowered and movable vehicle, a scoop apparatus, an attachment system forconnecting the scoop apparatus to the vehicle, and a vibrator. The scoopapparatus comprises a pair of side walls cooperating to form a chutehaving an inlet opening and an outlet opening Each side wall has aleading edge formed at the inlet opening. The vibrator is supported onthe vehicle and configured to transmit vibratory motion to the scoopapparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an excavation machine having a scoop forcutting a trench.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scoop apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section view of the scoop apparatus of FIG. 2along line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the scoop apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is top view of the scoop apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Placement of utilities underground is often accomplished using an opencut trench. There are many applications where horizontal directionaldrilling may be used, but for shallow depth placement of less than orequal to three (3) feet, open-cut trenching may be preferable. Vibratoryplowing is also often effective for the installation of small diameterutilities underground. Chain trenchers are very effective for opening oftrenches in the ground and work in many different soil conditions.However, there is a continual need for various machine and methods forthe creation of open cut trenches. The scoop apparatus of the presentinvention is efficient in its utilization of power from a vehicle enginebecause it does not regrind trenching spoils that are on their way outof a trench. The scoop apparatus of the present invention also has fewmoving parts which reduces wear on the apparatus.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a powered and movable vehicle 10 is shownhaving a scoop apparatus 12 of the present invention attached thereto.The vehicle 10 may comprise a wheeled vehicle that an operator walksbeside during operation or alternatively may comprise a tracked vehicle.Generally, the vehicle 10 comprises an internal combustion engine (notshown) that is used to provide motive force to the vehicle and to powerhydraulic pumps used to operate various work tool attachments. As shownin FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 may operatively support an elongate trencherassembly 14 that supports a trencher chain (not shown) having aplurality of cutting teeth to excavate a trench. Although a trencherassembly 14 is shown connected to the front of vehicle 10, one skilledin the art will appreciate that other work tools such as a backhoe,backfill blade, or loader bucket may be disposed at the front of thevehicle.

The vehicle 10 comprises an operator station 16 having a plurality ofcontrols 18. The controls 18 may comprise a plurality of levers,joysticks, dials, or switches used to control or manage variousoperations of the vehicle, the trencher assembly, other work toolattachments, and the scoop apparatus 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the scoop apparatus 12 is supported at theback of the vehicle 10 behind a sod cutter 11. The scoop apparatus 12 isconnected to a vibrator assembly 20 supported at the back of the vehicle10. The vibrator assembly 20 may comprise a frame 22 and a hydraulic orpneumatic cylinder (not shown) The frame 22 may comprise a first member26 and a second member (not shown) laterally displaced (hidden behindthe first member in FIG. 1) from the first member. The first member 26and the second member may both comprise substantially flat plates havingan arm 30 for connecting the vibrator assembly 20 to the vehicle 10 atpivot point 32. The cylinder (not shown) is disposed between the firstmember 26 and the second member and may connect to a cross brace (notshown) that spans a gap between the first member 26 and the secondmember. Actuation of the cylinder caused the scoop apparatus 12 to pivotabout pivot point 32 to raise and lower the scoop apparatus. One skilledin the art will appreciate that the scoop apparatus 12 could also beconfigured to mount to the front of the vehicle 10. It could be mountedin a manner to operate when the vehicle 10 is driven in a reversedirection, or mounted where the scooping action of the scoop apparatus12 would occur as the vehicle was driven forward.

A vibrator 38 may be supported on the vehicle 10 via the frame 22 andconfigured to transmit vibratory motion to the scoop apparatus 12. Thevibrator 38 is supported on the frame 22 between first member 26 andsecond member (not shown) at an end opposite arms 30. A motor 40comprising a hydraulically driven motor is supported on the frame 22 andadapted to drive operation of the vibrator 38, Motor 40 may comprise anelectric motor, a pneumatic motor, or a direct mechanical drive used todrive the vibrator 38. Vibrator 38 may comprise an assembly as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,790 issued to James L. Carothers, the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

The frame 22 may comprise a pair of mounting holes 42 configured toreceive pins 44 for connecting the vibrator assembly 20 to the scoopapparatus 12. One skilled in the art will appreciate that bolts, screws,or welding may be used as methods for attaching the scoop apparatus 12to the vibrator assembly 20 without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the scoop apparatus 12 of FIG. 1 is shown ingreater detail. The scoop apparatus 12 comprises a pair of side walls 46and 48 that cooperate to form a chute 50. The chute 50 has an inletopening 52 and an outlet opening 54. Each of the side walls has aleading edge 56 formed at the inlet opening 52. An attachment system 58is connected to the side walls 46 and 48 and connects the scoopapparatus 12 to the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1). A deflection system 60 isdisposed proximate the outlet opening 54 to deflect trenching spoils(earth removed from the trench by the scoop apparatus) in a lateraldirection away from the scoop apparatus 12. The scoop apparatus 12 maylikewise comprise a base wall 62 disposed between the pair of side walls46 and 48 to interconnect the side walls along a curve comprising atrailing edge 64 between the inlet opening 52 and the outlet opening 54.The base wall 62 may also define a lower portion of the inlet opening52.

The side walls 46 and 48 may each be constructed from a plate having atop edge 66. Likewise, the base wall may comprise a top edge 67. The topedge 66 of the he side walls and the top edge 67 of the base wall definethe outlet opening 54. The leading edge 52 may extend. from the top edge66 and intersect with the trailing edge 64 of the side wall.

The attachment system 58 may be disposed between the top edge 66 of eachside wall 46 and 48 proximate the outlet opening 54. The attachmentsystem 58 may comprise bracket members 68 connected directly to an innersurface 70 of the side walls. The bracket members 68 may be connected tothe side walls by welding, bolts, or other fastening means.Alternatively, the bracket members 68 may be integrally formed tabscreated when the side walls are cut from sheet or plate metal. A mount72 is connected to the bracket members 68 and comprises pin holes 74configured to align with mounting holes 42 (FIG. 1) and receive mountingpins 44 (FIG. 1) to connect the scoop apparatus 10 to the vibratorassembly 20.

The deflection system 60 is also connected to the side walls 46 and 48proximate the outlet opening 54. The deflection system 60 comprises achannel 76 configured to direct spoils removed from the ground laterallyaway from the scoop apparatus 12. The spoils directed laterally awayfrom the scoop apparatus 12 are deposited on the ground next to thetrench cut by the scoop. The deflection system 60 may comprise a housing78 that defines the channel 76. The housing 78 may comprise a singlepiece of metal or resilient plastic material configured to extend fromthe side wall 46 and pass over the outlet opening 54. A ramp member 80may be connected to side wall 48 and disposed to extend beyond the sidewall 48 to direct spoils laterally away. The housing 78 may have asmooth radius along its top surface, or a series of bends as depicted inFIG. 2. The deflection system 60 may be permanently affixed to the sidewalls 46 and 48, by welding or brazing, or as shown in FIG. 2, thehousing 78 may be attached with fasteners 81 such as bolts, screws,tabs, or pins such that it may be removed to help make cleaning of thechute 50 easier.

Continuing with FIG. 2, the leading edges 56 of each side wall 46 and 48comprise the ground engaging edge of the scoop apparatus 12.Accordingly, the leading edges 56 may comprise a cutting edge 82 that isbeveled to present a thinner section to the soil profile at the point ofengagement with the soil. The bevel may run from the top to the bottomof the cutting edge 82. The bevel may be formed to funnel soil into thechute 50. Alternatively, the bevel may be configured to push soil towardthe exterior of the apparatus 12 and laterally away from the chute 50.Likewise, the leading edge 84 of base wall 62 may be beveled forengagement with the soil.

Cutting edges 82 may be affixed to the leading edge 56 of the side walls46 and 48. The cutting edges 82 may comprise abrasion resistant steeland may be attached to the side walls 46 and 48 by welding, screws,pins, adhesives, or other suitable means. The cutting edges 82 may alsocomprise wear resistant hard facing material applied to the cuttingedges by welding or brazing. Suitable hard facing materials may includecarbide, ceramics, or synthetic diamond grit.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the scoop apparatus 12 is shown in longitudinalsection along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 illustrates a possibleconfiguration of the scoop apparatus 12. For example, the leading edge56 and thus cutting edge 82 of each side wall may be characterized by apositive rake angle 83. The rake angle 83 in the embodiment shown inFIG. 3 may be between 5 and 15 degrees. The backward rake of the cuttingedge 82 causes the edge to be advanced forward slightly each time thevibrator 38 (FIG. 1) moves the scoop apparatus 12 upward during theshaking cycle. Thus, the leading edge 84 of the base wall 62 is nudgedforward during the shake cycle and leads the cutting edges through theground.

The leading edge 84 of the base wall 62 may be configured such that itis substantially horizontal when the scoop is fully lowered into theground. Alternatively, leading edge 84 may have a slight angle upwardfrom horizontal. The base wall 62 may curve upward from the intersectionwith leading edge 56 toward the outlet opening 54 and deflection system60. The base wall's curvature may generally follow the curve of thetrailing edge 64 of the side walls 46 and 48 through a sweep angle 86.The radius of the curved trailing edge 64 is dependent on the desireddepth of cut and size of the scoop apparatus 12. In a preferredembodiment, the sweep angle 86 is between 30 and 45 degrees.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the scoop apparatus 12 is shown from the front.FIG. 4 shows that the inlet opening 52 is symmetric about an inlet axis88. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls 46 and 48 are connected tothe base wall 62. The side walls 46 and 48 may diverge from the basewall at the inlet opening 52 relative to the inlet axis 88. The angle 89at which the side walls 46 and 48 may diverge from the inlet axis 88 ispreferably between 2 to 15 degrees. The divergence causes the inletopening 52 and the chute 50 to have a generally trapezoidal or V-shapeconfiguration. Such a configuration allows soil that is cut loose by thecutting edges 82 and 84 to move and expand upward as the scoop apparatus12 is vibrated and moved forward. This causes the spoils of thetrenching operation to move up through the outlet opening 54 into thedeflection member channel 76 where it is deflected laterally anddeposited on the ground next to the trench.

With reference now to FIG. 5, the scoop apparatus 12 is shown from a topview with the deflection system 60 removed. The side walls 46 and 48 areshown interconnected by base wall 62 and attachment system 58 comprisingbracket members 68 and mount 72. Bracket members 68 may be generallyelongate and extend along a length of the side walls 46 and 48. Aspreviously discussed, bracket members 68 may be directly connected tothe inside surface 70 of the side walls 46 and 48. However, one skilledin the art will appreciate that bracket members 68 may be connected toan outer surface 90 of the side walls 46 and 48 without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows that the scoop apparatus 12 is wider at the front 92 of theapparatus than at the back 94 when viewed from the top. Preferably thefront to back relief converges the side walls 46 and 48 at an angle thatis generally between 0.25 and 2 degrees. Constructing the scoopapparatus 12 so that it is narrower at the back 94 reduces drag alongthe side walls 46 and 48 thus reducing the pulling force required tomove the scoop apparatus through the soil. The inclusion of a front toback relief also allows the scoop apparatus 12 to be pulled throughgradual turns with a reduced likelihood of binding within the soil. Asseen from the top, the chute 50 is symmetric about a chute axis 96 andeach side wall 46 and 48 converges from the inlet opening 52 relative tothe chute axis.

In operation, the vehicle 10 is moved into position along a desiredtrench path. The motor 40 may be engaged to cause the vibrator 38 tostart shaking the scoop apparatus 12. The operator may then actuate thecylinder (not shown) to lower the scoop apparatus 12 into the ground,For the pivoting linkage shown on the vehicle 10 as depicted in FIG. 1,as the scoop apparatus 12 is pivoted downward the cutting edge 82engages the soil and begins to cut a trench. Soil moves into the chute50 through the inlet opening 52. The scoop apparatus 12 is lowered untila desired depth is reached. As an alternative to the pivoting linkage inFIG. 1, a four-bar linkage may be used to move the scoop apparatus 12from a raised to lowered position. The device of the present inventionmay be mounted to vehicles having alternative raise-lower linkageconfigurations than that pictured in FIG. 1.

Once the desired trench depth is reached the vehicle's drive system isengaged to pull the scoop apparatus 12 through the ground along thedesired trench path. The vibrator 38 remains engaged during thetrenching process to assist the scoop apparatus 12 in cutting throughthe soil. As the scoop apparatus 12 is advanced soil is moved into thechute 50 through inlet opening 52 and moves upward through the chutetoward the outlet opening 54. As discussed above, the pair of side walls46 and 48 may diverge from the base wall 62 relative to the inlet axis88 and the base wall may follow a curved path along a trailing edge 64from the inlet opening 52 to the outlet opening 54. This configurationbiases the soil pulled into the chute 50 to move upward and out of thechute through the outlet opening 54. The vibrator 38 causes the scoopapparatus 12 to rapidly shake up and down. This vibratory action assistsin the cutting of the soil at the cutting edges 82 and 84 and in themovement of soil through the chute 50 to the outlet opening 54.

After moving through the outlet opening 54 the trenching spoils aremoved laterally away from the chute axis 96 by the deflection system 60.The deflection system 60 extends laterally over at least one of the pairof side walls 46 and 48 so the trenching spoils exiting the deflectionsystem are deposited on the ground next to the trench. Thus, the scoopapparatus 12 and deflection system 60 creates a trench having a profilesubstantially similar to the profile of the scoop apparatus withtrenching spoils deposited on the ground to one side of the trench orthe other.

Once the end of the desired trench path is reached the scoop apparatus12 may be pivoted upward and operation of the vibrator 38 may cease. Theproduct may be installed in the trench and the trench backfilled using abackfill blade supported at the front of the vehicle 10 or some othersuitable backfill system.

Various modifications can be made in the design and operation of thepresent invention without departing from its spirit. Thus, while theprinciple preferred construction and modes of operation of the inventionhave been explained in what is now considered to represent its bestembodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for cutting a trench comprising: apair of side walls cooperating to form a chute having an inlet openingand an outlet opening, each side wall having a leading edge formed atthe inlet opening; a base wall disposed between the pair of side wallsto interconnect the side walls along a curve between the inlet openingand the outlet opening; and a vibrator connected to the pair of sidewalls to transmit vibratory motion to the chute.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising an attachment system to connect the pair ofside walls proximate the leading edge of each side wall.
 3. Theapparatus of claim I further comprising a deflection system disposedproximate the outlet opening to deflect spoils in a lateral direction.4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the deflection system extends beyondthe pair of side walls.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inletopening is symmetric about an inlet axis and wherein each side walldiverges from the base wall at the inlet opening relative the inletaxis.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each side wall diverges fromthe base wall at the inlet opening at an angle of between two andfifteen degrees relative to the inlet axis.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the leading edge of each side wall comprises a cutting edge. 8.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the leading edge of each side wall isbeveled to direct spoils laterally away from the chute.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the leading edge of each side wall is characterizedby a positive rake angle.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein thepositive rake angle is between five and fifteen degrees.
 11. An assemblycomprising: a powered and movable vehicle; the apparatus of claim 1; andan attachment system for connecting the apparatus to the vehicle;wherein the vibrator is connected to the attachment system.
 12. Anassembly comprising: a powered and movable vehicle; a scoop apparatuscomprising a pair of side walls cooperating to form a chute having aninlet opening and an outlet opening, each side wall having a leadingedge formed at the inlet opening; an attachment system for connectingthe scoop apparatus to the vehicle; and a vibrator supported on thevehicle and configured to transmit vibratory motion to the scoopapparatus.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 comprising a base wall tointerconnect the pair of side walls and defining a portion of the inletopening.
 14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the base wallinterconnects the pair of side walls along a curved path extendingbetween the inlet opening and the outlet opening.
 15. The assembly ofclaim 13 wherein the inlet opening is symmetric about an inlet axis andwherein each side wall diverges from the base wall at the inlet openingrelative to the inlet axis.
 16. The assembly of claim 12 wherein theleading edge of each side wall is characterized by a positive rakeangle.
 17. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the positive rake angle isbetween 5 and 15 degrees.
 18. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the chuteis symmetric about a chute axis and each side wall converges from theinlet opening relative to the chute axis.
 19. The assembly of claim 18wherein each side wall converges from the inlet opening at an angle ofbetween 0.25 and 2 degrees relative to the chute axis.
 20. The assemblyof claim 12 wherein the chute is symmetric about a chute axis andfurther comprises a deflection system configured to move spoils exitingthe chute at the outlet opening in a lateral direction relative to thechute axis.